Hanging Out on the Block

If a girl I am mentoring doesn’t have a cell phone it is nearly impossible to get a hold of her. One of the sure ways to track them down and hang out  is to go to the block where they live or normally hang out and join ‘em. Here are a few videos of a day Elizabeth (a good friend and fellow mentor) decided to go track down the girls we mentor.

 

 

“After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.”” John 5:37

Sometimes we have to go to them.

In the Midst of Life, Don’t Forget to Dream Big

Over the last few days I have been reading all these blogs and articles about lack of “men” in the church. It is a reality, every where I go there are like a million and one single women. I think we as sisters can do a better job of encouraging our brothers. Most of the men that I know I don’t put in the video-game–playing, doing–nothing kind of guys.  In fact, several men in my life have had big dreams at some point.  God-size dreams.  They are dreamers and visionaries. But I know sometimes in the fog of school, life and paying off debt those dreams and visions can get lost in what seems to be “more realistic and wise” or to do with what seems “safe and financially responsible”. There may be some truth in that and I am a strong supporter of paying off debt, but I just want to encourage my brothers (and sisters) to dream big. To not lose those dreams in the midst of paying off debt or going to school.  Sometimes trusting God seems foolish, but God uses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, right?? Ask God to give you a God–size vision and go for it.  Trust Him with the gifts He has given you. Don’t get stuck doing something safe.  Start pursuing those dreams now. Why wait? I mean what is there to wait for?? To be wiser… then you might be too old and miss the chance. After all, we have one life to live and we serve one crazy, faithful God.

Grateful for God’s Provision

I trust you had a very Merry Christmas enjoying time with friends and family.  The end of the year is approaching quickly. It’s this time of year I spend reflecting on what God has done this past year. Seeing His continual provision and faithfulness, I am blown away by His grace to me. As I think about this past year, I am left in awe. The same God, who provided and guided Moses provides and guides me. The same God who rescued Paul and said go to the gentiles is the same God that rescued me and said go to Little Village. The same God who put generosity in the hearts of saints like Lydia to provide for Paul is the same God who put generosity in your heart to provide for me. I thank God for you.  Thank you for your faithfulness this past year.  As I look back I am constantly amazed at how God provides. He truly does take care of His children.  I fully recognize that it is God who uses you to provide for me. If you are not contributing financially on a regular basis to the work God is doing through me in Little Village would you prayerfully consider giving a special end of the year tax-deductible gift? When God lays it on your heart to give you can simply go to http://www.navigators.org/us/staff/hershberger

As I look into 2012 and beyond please continue to pray that I would see and depend on  God as the source of all my needs, not only financially but also spiritually and emotionally. Please pray specifically as I begin to work with a team of people as we prayerfully create a vision and mission statement for Urban Life Skills as well as policies, procedures and curriculum to better reach the youth in Little Village.

 

How can I be praying for you?

“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you,” (1 Chronicles 29:11-14)

Gangs and Politicians in Chicago

To read the remainder of the article click here

Gang Related Murders on the Rise

There is still plenty of work to be done….

 

For original website click here

Map of Chicago Gangs

Little Village is the just below Roosevelt where you see the large yellow and dark grey grouping of gangs.

To see the original website click here

 

Urban Life Skills Christmas Party

Many from the church game out to help set up:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family pictures were taken:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Gospel was shared:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awards were given:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And many gifts were given:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank YOU so much for your prayers! It was a wonderful night!

Quickly Running to Worry

I woke up two days ago really worried about my financial support. I am not sure what spurred this on. God has ALWAYS been faithful. Sure, support raising is an on going thing, but I am not currently in a financial bind. Plus, God has always provided more than I need. But I woke up finding myself stressing about if I have enough support.

Later that day a friend tweeted…

“It’s amazing how quickly my heart runs to worry and trusting in myself (and not Jesus). WOW. Pray for me, friends. I’m weak.”

After I read that, I thought, “Wow, that’s me. I am weak” I am constantly worrying…

Do I have enough support?

What if I don’t lead any one to Jesus? Does that mean I am still called to do this?

What if I fail those I lead?

Do I communicate to my supporters enough? What if I don’t know what to write this month?

Underlying all of these questions is weakness. It is me trying to trust in myself rather than trusting in God. Rather then running to the One who says..

I am your provider.

I do the calling, the redeeming and the saving.

I am perfect and sovereign over your failings.

Trust me. It is I who provide, it is me who works in the hearts of my people.

Yesterday I was encouraged by this from Besides Still Waters “The God of the prophets lives. He lives to help His saints, “that you may lack nothing” (1 Thess. 4:12). Believe in the Lord of hosts! Approach Him. Plead the name of Jesus.”

Pray with me, pray for me, that in my weakness I would run to Jesus, the one who says I will lack nothing rather than running to worry.

 

We Expose, Not Impose

Today the Urban Life Skills team had lunch with the judge who oversees our district here in Little Village. We shared our passion to mentor and see lives change here in the community. Hector, the probation officer and brother in Christ, explained how we desire to expose youth to what we believe and not impose it.

Lord as we expose you to the hurting, lost, hopeless  people of this neighborhood may you soften their hearts to see you as the king of Kings and Savior. May they see that you are their true and only hope.

Speaking of exposing, we invited the judge to come to our annual Christmas party next Friday (December 9). Please pray the judge attends as the Gospel will be shared.

Now Taking Orders

Martha came to my house four days last week to make cookies! She is quite the entrepreneur. After the first day of selling the cookies back on her block, she made $15. The next day she brought me $10… what??? What kind of teenager in the hood doesn’t pocket that money? Every day after, she brought me back all her earnings. We have decided to use the money she makes to buy more supplies and put the remaining cash  in a bank account for her.  And yes, we are taking orders. Martha texts me almost every day with another order. What a blessing it has been to spend time with her!